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The Judge

Le Juge

"Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town's judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family"--www.imdb.com.

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Reminded me of ' The Descendants ' 'Rain Man' and ' August Osage County', it's about a man at a difficult time in his life, and the relationships in his family (so some funny moments like Iron Man , but he's not a superhero). I thought it better than average.

*warning: in addition to cussing and sex, there's also adultery, murder, shouting, and all kinds of bad driving!

This is a good movie. There are twists, turns, and uncomfortable moments; but there are jaw-dropping moments, and moments that could make the viewer smile. I picked this movie because Robert Downey, Jr. was picked to play the part of PERRY MASON in the new "Perry Mason" movie. This is also a more realistic portrayal of what prosecuting attorneys do, and what defense attorneys do. I recommend this movie. --Mark A. Payne

A murder mystery - I felt that this would be a reasonable film to get a chance to see what Robert Duvall is doing lately. I was kinda' disappointed. The film is a mix of comedy and mystery with a very tiny bit of romance. It could have been much better if they had decided to choose mostly between comedy and mystery, but just didn't emphasize either enough to hold my interest. This was probably a lost opportunity at making a significant film.

Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall? Does it get any better? Yes it does. You throw in D'Onofrio and add a talented supporting cast. This movie is even better on second viewing. It's just about perfect the way it is, and I wouldn't change a thing. Every detail, every word, every silence, matter. Highly recommend this gripping and moving drama.

Drawn home after the loss of his mother, Hank Palmer, lawyer and notorious defender of the guilty, is forced to reconcile with his father, a judge. He's harsh and unconventional but well respected. A recovered alcoholic, the honourable judge has an insensitive old-school manner that has maintained a longstanding rift between him and one of his sons, Hank, but when he's accused of the murder of a paroled wife-killer and the town who once loved him turns its back, only Hank can build a case strong enough to fight the charges. We already know this; the trailers told us so. But what they didn't show was how piercingly funny Robert Downey, Jr., can be. We are used to his quips from IRON MAN and he's always had that class-clown style about him, but placing that personality in this dark and dire situation works as if by magic. It shouldn't. The son of the defendant should be fiercely serious, even if he does hate his father. Yet still, Downey's Hank works like a charm. The film isn't perfect, but it's well written and mesmerizing, a perfect balancing act of smart humour and dark grit. It's imperfect, sure, if we want to get technical. I would have made a few different choices here and there. For one, the editors could have cut the footage of the idyllic childhood that Hank had with his mother and two brothers and lost nothing. We know the problem lies not with them, that Hank loved his mother dearly, that they all did. We don't need to see a bunch of tots throwing around the pigskin to contrast with the strained relationship of Hank and his curmudgeon father. That's nit-picking, though. The film itself is strong and underrepresented. Stellar performances, a sharp story, and an unidentifiable artistry make THE JUDGE one of my favourite underrated dramas this year. I recommend it.

absolutely a great film. i remember when i first heard that Robert Downy JR. was going to play Ironman, i thought ' why in the world would they want him? but now "He is Ironman" he has done a few other progects and i have loved them all! this film was touching, funny and true. a must see!

Judge: Listen to me. Ulysses S. Grant held this country together. Now, what's he remembered for? Being a drunk. Ronald Reagan oversaw the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War. But any discussion of his legacy ends with jelly beans, naps and Alzheimer's.
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Jury (his bumper sticker): Wife and Dog Missing, Reward for Dog.
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Sam: I am never leaving Carlinville. I love it here. And you're just a boy from Indiana...who's gonna do whatever he has to do to pretend that's not true.

Hank: Everyone wants Atticus Finch until there's a dead hooker in a bathtub.
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Hank: Did you know 90% of the country believes in ghosts? less than a third in evolution? 35% can correctly identify Homer Simpson's fictional town in which he resides, less than 1% knows the name Thurgood Marshall. But... when you put 12 Americans together in a jury and you ask for justice? Something just South of brilliance happens. Often as not, they get it right.
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Jury (his bumper sticker slogan): Gun control means using both hands.